How I Met My Friends

By Snigdha Mallik

How would it feel to move away from virtual living and meet real people of all types and varieties? 

Some stay for life while others appear in special moments, just to teach us something new.

 

Siyani and her mother try to find an endearing way to meet new people and make new friends. Walk Siyani’s journey as she encounters empathy, learns about relationships and fortifies bonds within her family.

 

She turns away from the ‘Idiot Box’, only to discover life outside the house. Guided by her mother, Siyani learns to form judgement-free friendships and discovers a special friend along the way.

 

Perfect for young adults, the book makes for a good read for adventurous adults looking to relive their childhood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers
• Release date: Nov 22, 2022

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

My Mother’s Experiments

My mother once said, "The idiot box (TV) had us all hooked during our late teenage years. Yet, even before it changed into wide thin screens that hung off walls, we knew how to spend quality time with real people and make real friends!"

The eleven-year old me wondered about the sentiments she expressed with these lines. I sometimes proclaimed that her childhood years must have been very boring. How did they survive simply staring at blank walls or at one another all day, without binge watching or messaging or calling other faraway friends? What did they do without the video games and the funny memes?

My mother usually laughed at my questions and said that I couldn’t possibly fathom the beauty of meeting new people in person and forming new relationships, of not being glued to a device all the time and instead relishing the food that I ate. We never seemed to be able to reach an agreement. I remember being a hot blooded girl, who strongly believed in the need for the existence of every electronic device ever invented. On the other hand, my mother gently brought forth her reminiscences of a time void of these exact same ‘electronic nuisances’.

With the gradual passing of years, I realised that there was much wisdom in her words. Post the dreadful event of my beloved mother passing away, I recognised that the world needed to hear more of her thoughts. In fact, lots of families already knew her, as my mother had conducted a series of ‘people-meeting experiments’. These had revolved around me mostly and changed my life forever too. She had held several workshops explaining these experiences. Articles were written about my mother’s work but never documented in exactness.

In addition, her experiments added the value of helping me understand children far more in depth!

I wouldn’t have become the orator and writer that I am today, if my mother hadn’t decided to slowly draw me out of my comfort zone. She exposed me to the emotions of the world of people! She limited my screen time and enticed me to enter the playgrounds that she called ‘A child’s world’; I suppose this opened my eyes to empathy and relationships.

And today, I consider it my responsibility to pass on this wisdom to other parents and children who could benefit from my mother’s farsightedness.

Sigh. I wholeheartedly wish that she had lived to see the difference I was already making in the lives of the children around me. She would’ve given me that serene smile that I loved so much! My Mamma was someone I had come to recognise as a voice for the children… and gradually, I had turned into one too.

Before anything else, I want to take a moment to describe my beautiful mother…

Yes, in my eyes, she was one of the most beautiful ladies, but beyond that, there was a kindness and a jovial light that sparkled in her eyes. In retrospect, I realise that I miss these the most! Like every other human being, she lost her cool a lot of times too! However, it was her way of coming back to make amends, apologise, discuss her feelings and help me identify mine… that are etched forever in my memory.

Oh mamma, my dear mamma,

Where have thee disappeared?

When the world needs you the most,

And your smile brought forth the sunrise…

I find myself lost in your memories

That can still light up my day,

Your light still shows me the way.

And now, moving on to the fun part: the ‘people-meeting experiments’!

Perhaps Experiment is sort of an extreme term, I will stick to calling it - the people-meeting experiences.

CHAPTER 2

Meeting Akshara, the ‘Hermoine’ in real life

Iwas laughing hysterically at silly Tom (from the legendary Tom and Jerry) when Zap: the Television had been turned off. The smile froze on my face and I looked up in annoyance. My mother had her cool no-nonsense face on.

Mamma… I began but she cut me off gently.

"Siyani, we discussed that you